How to say "leading" in Japanese

• リーディングCommon
  prenominal modifierA katakana loanword that keeps the English sense of 'leading' — describing a top, front-running company, player or figure — used in borrowed expressions and set phrases; it does not mean guiding someone along the way.
• 案内あんないJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'leading' in the physical sense of showing a person the way — guiding a visitor to a room or showing guests around a place; it is about escorting people, not about being ahead of rivals.
  ガイドは観光客かんこうきゃくに博物館はくぶつかんの案内あんないをした。↗

  A guide conducted the visitors round the museum.
• リードCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'leading' as being ahead — holding the lead in a game, race or standings — and, more broadly, taking the initiative in an activity or group.
  そのレースでは彼かれがリードしている。↗

  He has the lead in the race.
• 誘導ゆうどうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers 'leading' in the sense of steering or channeling: directing people or traffic along a route, or guiding a conversation or situation toward an intended outcome; it is about direction-giving rather than escorting.
  水先案内人みずさきあんないにんは船ふねを港みなとに誘導ゆうどうする。↗

  A pilot guides the ship toward the port.
• 屈指くっしCommon
  no-adjectiveMeans 'leading' in the sense of foremost or preeminent — describing a person or thing as among the very best in its field; it has nothing to do with guiding people or being ahead.
  彼女かのじょは日本にっぽんで屈指くっしの優すぐれたテニスの選手せんしゅであると言いっても過言かごんではない。↗

  It is not too much to say that she is one of the best tennis players in Japan.

Use 案内 for physically showing someone the way, 「リード」 for being ahead or taking the lead, 誘導 for steering or directing movement, 屈指 for 'foremost' in rank, and 「リーディング」 in borrowed set phrases.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• リーディングleading
• 案内あんないguidance
• リードlead
• 誘導ゆうどうguidance
• 屈指くっしleading
• 有力ゆうりょくinfluential
• 有数ゆうすうprominent
• 引率いんそつleading
• 指折りゆびおりleading
• 補導ほどうguidance
• 先端的せんたんてきultramodern
• ガイドguide
• 一流いちりゅうfirst-class
• たてcentral
• 唱導しょうどうleading (movement, revolution, etc.)
• レディングleading
• 指導的しどうてきleading (e.g. role)
• 嚮導きょうどうguidance
• 主だったおもだったchief
• ご案内ごあんないguidance
• 主なるおもなるmain
• そうそうeminent
• 押しも押されもせぬおしもおされもせぬof established reputation
• 押しも押されもしないおしもおされもしないof established reputation
• 押しも押されぬおしもおされぬof established reputation
• 一線級いっせんきゅうtop notch
• 総理そうりleading
• アップbeing up (in points, games, etc.)